As 13-year-old Airman James Ratekin listened for the sound of an aircraft emergency locator transmitter-ELT- Saturday afternoon, he turned with his locating device as the sound became louder to find the site of the downed "plane."

Although there wasn't really a missing plane, Ratekin and fellow Civil Air Patrol cadets - 14-year-old Airman Josh Meyers, of Des Moines, and 15-year-old Airman 1st Class Kent Keil, of Johnston - were taking part in a simulated training exercise near Stratford. With a little guidance from their ground team leader, Lt. Col. Glen Chilcote, the three young men were able to detect and locate the ELT, which was placed on the roof of an outbuilding on a farm southwest of Stratford.

The search and rescue training event, which included several senior members and cadets of the Civil Air Patrol, was headquartered at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport. The daylong training exercise included both in-air and on-ground ELT and missing person searches.

In the missing person search, both an air crew and on ground crew searched an area near the railroad tracks between Vincent and Eagle Grove. They were able to locate successfully their missing subject as well.

The Civil Air Patrol, which is a division of the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, provides aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. It is often called upon to help provide homeland security, assist with FEMA disaster missions and help with missing person and ELT searches.

"We help after tornadoes and during floods," Chilcote said. "We're often the ones going door to door during flood evacuations to help get people out."

During a missing person search, the CAP works to gather as much information about the person as possible to locate any evidence that might help locate them.

"We want to know information about where they were last seen, the type of vehicle they drive, even things like if they smoke or if they have any health conditions," said Chilcote. "That way we can look for vehicles, footprints or even the remains of something like the type of cigarette they smoke."

During an ELT search, on-air and ground crews work to locate the device, which detects unusual impacts in aircraft. The signal helps to alert rescue crews of potential plane crashes. According to Chilcote, the majority of ELT searches do not really involve a crash.

"We've tracked them all over, about 98 percent of all ELTs we find are in the hangar," he said. "They may have had a rough landing that activates it, or the pilot might have forgotten to turn it off after the flight."

Chilcote said the search teams have even located ELT devices in UPS trucks that are still in the process of being shipped and also in the homes of pilots.

The Iowa Civil Air Patrol currently has 308 members statewide. Members range in age from 12 through adult. After completing several hours of training, hands-on testing and emergency service tests, even the youngest members are able to be called to certain emergencies.

Joining the CAP was an easy decision for Meyers.

"I had some friends in it," he said. "That's how I knew about it. The camo uniforms are cool, too."

While looking official in a camouflage uniform is a highlight, Meyers said its the skills he is gaining that will really help him succeed.

"It's good life experience," he said. "I've learned a lot of people skills."

For Ratekin, the idea of getting to fly sparked his interest in joining the CAP.

"The idea of flying sounded cool," he said.

Ratekin also said his experience and flying in the CAP will help him in his future career plans.

"I'd like to be an aeronautical engineer someday," he said.

Keil's interest in the military is what drew him to the CAP.

"It's good early experience for the military," he said. "It can help you get a scholarship into a military academy."

Chilcote said many CAP cadets eventually go on to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The Iowa Civil Air Patrol is always looking for new members, Chilcote said.

"Anyone can join us," he said. "We have everyone from active military personnel to doctors and lawyers involved."

Contact Emilie Nelson at (515)573-2411 or enelson@messengernews.net